Karjakin Beats Anand For Sole Lead

Sergey Karjakin of Russia beat Viswanathan Anand in round four to wrest sole lead in the FIDE World Championship Candidates Tournament in Moscow on March 15. Karjakin’s 43-move win with white moves him into lead with 3/4 points. Levon Aronian is on 2½ while Anand, Giri, Caruana and Svidler are on two points. Nakamura 1½ and Topalov 1 are further behind.

Significantly, Anand had not lost in Mexico 2007 and Khanty-Mansiysk 2014 when he won similar events. Anand faces Nakamura with white on March 16. Anand’s central pawns were targeted by Karjakin. Karjakin went on to win a rook and knight ending in 43 moves. Karjakin played the Reti opening and an early f5 from black gave white control over key squares.